State Pauses J&J Vaccine

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Rep. Steven Smith

State Pauses J&J Vaccine, Won’t Slow Down Successful Roll Out

Concord, NH – The State of New Hampshire has announced a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, consistent with the recommendation of the federal government.

This morning, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended a pause on the use of the single-dose J&J COVID-19 vaccine after reports that six individuals in the U.S. developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks after vaccination.

The State of New Hampshire is working with all partners to ensure they are adjusting their operations to accommodate this pause.

“This news will not slow down New Hampshire,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “While the federal government has directed a brief pause in the J&J vaccine, the state is already working with our partners to ensure that they have an alternative supply of Pfizer or Moderna to help continue their efforts today.”

Currently, no state managed fixed sites are scheduled to hold Johnson and Johnson clinics.

Some Regional Public Health Networks were scheduled to provide Johnson & Johnson at clinics and to homebound populations today. The state is working with them to provide them with an alternative supply of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine so that their efforts do not slow down as a result of this pause.

Through the Federal Pharmacy Program, Walmart locations had planned to administer Johnson & Johnson today. All Walmart locations will have an alternative vaccine by 1pm today – if someone has an appointment after 1pm, they are encouraged to attend. If they have an appointment at Walmart before 1pm, they are welcome to visit any of the state-managed sites and their appointment will be honored.

This announcement is specific to the J&J COVID-19 vaccine and not related to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. We encourage people to continue with their scheduled appointments.

COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority and all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination area taken very seriously. The CDC has indicated that those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their healthcare provider.

COVID-19 Summary Report

(data updated as of April 12, 2021- 9:00 AM)

  • Number of Persons with COVID-191  89,229
  • Recovered     84,588 (95%)
  • Deaths Attributed to COVID-19  1,257 (1%)
  • Total Current COVID-19 Cases 3,384
  • Current Hospitalizations  118
  • Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)2  675,941
  • Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody Laboratory Tests2  39,026
  • Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL  71,177
  • Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3  132

1 Includes specimens positive at any laboratory and those confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.

2 Includes specimens tested at the NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL), LabCorp, Quest, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Mako, certain hospital laboratories, the University of New Hampshire and their contracted laboratory, and those sent to CDC prior to NH PHL testing capacity.

3 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH PHL. Does not include tests pending at commercial laboratories.

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – April 12, 2021


Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Monday, April 12, 2021, DHHS announced 380 new positive test results for COVID-19, for a current PCR test positivity rate of 9.8%. Today’s results include 210 people who tested positive by PCR test and 170 who tested positive by antigen test. There are now 3,384 current COVID-19 cases diagnosed in New Hampshire. Of the results reported today:
 4/11: 380 new cases
Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are sixty-two individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 53% being female and 47% being male.

The new cases reside in Rockingham (91), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (56), Strafford (43), Belknap (31), Merrimack (30), Grafton (18), Cheshire (7), Sullivan (7), Carroll (6), and Coos (2) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (31) and Nashua (30).

The county of residence is being determined for twenty-eight new cases.
Community-based transmission continues to occur in the State and has been identified in all counties.

Of those with complete risk information, most of the cases have either had close contact with a person with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or have recently traveled.
There are currently 118 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. In New Hampshire since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 89,229 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Insurance Commissioner Sends Letter to Federal Agencies Requesting Recalculation of 1332 Waiver Pass-through Funding

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Rep. Steven Smith
Insurance Commissioner Sends Letter to Federal Agencies Requesting Recalculation of 1332 Waiver Pass-through Funding
Concord, NH – This week, New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner Chris Nicolopoulos sent a letter to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding changes to pass-through funding estimates for 1332 state-based reinsurance programs following the passage of the American Rescue Plan.
“New Hampshire’s 1332 Waiver program was designed to promote stability in the individual market and increase affordability for consumers. I signed this letter to request that CMS and the Treasury re-calculate the estimate of our pass-through funding amount to ensure it is accurate for the 2021 plan year. The implementation of the American Rescue Plan will increase enrollment and change the amount of pass-through funding New Hampshire receives. Recalculating the pass-through funds is keeping in the spirit of the 1332 Waiver by improving predictability in the New Hampshire insurance market.”
The letter was also signed by insurance commissioners of other states operating under 1332 Waivers.
“Preserving and stabilizing New Hampshire’s individual health insurance market has been a key priority for the New Hampshire Insurance Department,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt. Our previous efforts, in coordination with Governor Sununu, have kept our state’s three current insurance companies in the market, have lowered premiums for three consecutive years, and has saved taxpayers significant amounts of money. The American Rescue Plan took several important steps to further bolster the individual market but recalculate state pass through amounts to account for the additional federal savings will help us lower costs further.”
The letter can be found here.
The New Hampshire Insurance Department Can HelpThe New Hampshire Insurance Department’s mission is to promote and protect the public good by ensuring the existence of a safe and competitive insurance marketplace through the development and enforcement of the insurance laws of the State of New Hampshire. Contact us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your insurance coverage at1‐800‐ 852‐3416 or (603) 271‐2261, or by email at consumerservices@ins.nh.gov. For more information, visit www.nh.gov/insurance.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Emergency Rental Assistance

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Rep. Steven Smith
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP PAYING THEIR RENT AND UTILITIES BECAUSE OF COVID-19?
The New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides assistance to eligible residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are at risk for homelessness, or living in unsafe or unhealthy housing. Please help us get the word out about this important federal/state rent and utility assistance program for people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.If you are a community partner with questions, please contact Lynn Greenleaf Lippitt at llippitt@nhhfa.orgIf you have a client or customer who needs assistance, please refer them to CAPNH.org or 2-1-1.
Please share and post our flyer where feasible. Thank you! Apply for assistance through a Community Action Partnership (CAP) agency. The CAP agency will assist with the application process. The application can be completed online, or a paper application can be requested or downloaded (in English and Spanish).

WHAT THE PROGRAM COVERSPast-due and future rent paymentsUtilities, such as electricity, home heating, costs, water, sewer, trashOther housing-related costs such as internet and relocation expenses associated directly or indirectly with COVID-19Relocation expenses including rental application fees, utility hook-up fees, and security depositsYou may qualify for utility assistance even if you do not receive or need rental assistance

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITYAt least one person in your household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had their income reduced, had significant costs, or had other financial hardship due to COVID-19.Certain income requirements must be met.You do not need to be receiving unemployment benefits payments.The CAP agency will assist in identifying information needed.Eligible households may qualify for assistance for past-due and future rent and utility payments for a period not to exceed 15 months.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Find Shelter tool provides information about housing, shelter, health care, and clothing resources in communities across New Hampshire.
Use this new tool to helpFind Shelter.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment